Talks on Olmert-Abbas meet continue-Olmert's office

JERUSALEM, Oct 22 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today and agreed that their officials would continue talks to prepare for a meeting between them, Olmert's office said.

The United States has urged both sides to renew peace talks, stalled since 2003 due to violence. Recent efforts to arrange the long-awaited summit have been deadlocked.

Israel demands the release of a soldier Gaza militants kidnapped in Israel in a raid in June. Abbas, who has been working to try to secure his freedom, wants the Jewish state to first promise to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

During their phone call, the Israeli leader gave Abbas his good wishes to mark the end of Ramadan, Olmert's office said in a statement.

REUTERS AB KP2221